The name hearkens back to the Northern Pump Company, the occupant of the site during World War II. During this time, Northern Pump built crucial parts for war ships fighting all over the globe. They received the Battle E award from the Navy, which stood for “Excellence and Efficiency.” In fact, the company received this award 5 additional times, and was awarded a star each time that could be seen on the smoke stacks – the other major part of the name.

Hyde said he wanted a name that recognized the history of the site, which at one point supported 7,000 jobs building naval gun turrets. The Navy came to Minnesota because its farms turned out talented machinists and welders who could do the job.

"That's what we are about in Minnesota," Hyde said. "We're smart, hard-working and really good at what we do. That's what we wanted to capitalize on and recognize the fact that its an infill site and not out in a cornfield somewhere."

Hyde picked the new name and developed a logo with the help of Colliers International Minneapolis-St. Paul, the Minnetonka-based brokerage firm that's marketing space in the building. Colliers industrial brokers Jason Simek and Eric Batiza are handling leasing.

Hyde said he is optimistic he'll have some leasing activity to announce on the site by the end of the year.

The tradition in the commercial real estate industry is to name business parks after cities (Lakeville Industrial) or roads they are along (France Avenue in Brooklyn Center). Sometimes business parks get names of natural features they are near (Grand Oak in Eagan or Dean Lake in Shakopee).

They rarely have interesting names, or ones with a historical backstory. Hyde agreed with me and said that was intentional.

"We felt we like we had an opportunity and a responsibility to do it right."